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Outdoor scrivener ekes out decent living by writing petitions for guest workers

By Omar Obeidat - Jun 01,2015 - Last updated at Jun 01,2015

Ibrahim Mohammad works in his makeshift office outside the premises of the Labour Ministry branch in Sweileh (Photo by Omar Obeidat)

AMMAN — Ibrahim Mohammad came to Amman from the southern town of Shobak more than 20 years ago to secure a decent living by working in the public sector, but he found a higher-income job. 

Mohammad has been working as a scrivener for almost 16 years outside the premises of the Labour Ministry branch in Sweileh, making more than enough money to meet the needs and demands of his six-member family.

“I earn almost double what I would have been receiving if I continued working in the public sector,” he told The Jordan Times this week, noting that he served for four years in a government job. 

Mohammad makes his living by writing petitions for guest workers who come to the government office to obtain work permits. 

There are nationals from several countries but most of his clients are Egyptians, he said. 

“Hundreds of workers come here every day and what we do is help them prepare their transactions,” the 40-year-old said. 

Mohammad charges JD2 per petition. 

According to him, he serves dozens of guest workers on a daily basis. 

Most of the workers who come to the Labour Ministry branch know him and have become loyal clients, he noted. 

 

There are several scriveners outside the Labour Ministry branch, most of whom are public sector retirees, according to Mohammad, who described the job as tough because they are exposed to weather extremes in summer and winter.

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